What are liquid colloidal minerals? Everywhere you turn (well, almost) there’s someone from a health company ‘wagging their tail’ and telling you that it will help just about every health challenge known to woman.

A colloid is simply a particle suspended in a liquid or a gas. A cup of coffee is an example of a colloid (coffee and milk suspended in water).

Most minerals occur in nature as ions, meaning they are negatively or positively charged particles. Liquid colloidal minerals are very small particles (usually extracted from plants) in a liquid solution. The minerals have a negative charge given to them by the plant and a small size - 7 to 10,000 times smaller than a red blood cell - allowing them to be very easily absorbed into the small intestine.

The colloidal mineral story started in Utah in 1920 when an ailing rancher named Thomas (T.J.) Clark was led to a spring by an Indian elder - and was given a drink of bitter tasting ‘medicine water’. Soon after drinking the water Clark made a remarkable recovery and became determined to unlock the secret of this mysterious healing spring.

He discovered the source of the spring ran through a prehistoric forest preserved as a shale deposit. This forest grew in an area with a high concentration of minerals in the soil When the water was analysed it was found to contain over 70 different minerals.

The name given to this ‘water’ was later termed ‘liquid colloidal minerals’, however better terminology is actually ‘plant derived minerals’ since the minerals are derived from plants.

Today, liquid colloidal minerals or plant derived minerals are manufactured by mining this prehistoric shale and combining it with filtered spring water. The minerals taken up by the plants are in an organic form making them completely safe to consume. The mixture is then filtered several times to remove any impurities and heavy metals and then bottled. The only significant source of this shale is in Utah in the U.S.A.

There are many arguments for and against the health benefits of plant derived minerals. Conventional medical doctors argue that you can get all the minerals you need from the main food groups - grains vegetables, fruits and nuts. Alternative health professionals argue that our soils and therefore our food crops are deficient in minerals and this deficiency and our fast food culture along with environmental pollution leads to disease and that many diseases we suffer are actually nutrient deficiency diseases.

In spite of all the arguments, there are many people who swear that liquid colloidal minerals are a significant factor in their recovery from a range of diseases- enough to sustain an entire industry that continues to grow. It would be a safe bet that the amount of minerals in our food chain are decreasing and some form of supplementation is necessary.

If you’re curious, they are relatively inexpensive and if you become one of those who experience a great health benefit then “congratulations” the experiment was worthwhile. And if they don’t work - I hear they are also great for preserving cut flowers.

Paul Newland is a health writer, sports training consultant and martial arts instructor and runs the Global-Longevity.com website.
He is the author of numerous health information books and guides, including the Wellness Report, The Ultimate Antioxidant Report, The Selenium Report, The Ultimate Nutrient Guide and The Ultimate Sports Nutrition Guide - available Free (for a limited time) through Global-Longevity.com.

Can you treat a headache or stomach ache externally, without somehow manipulating your natural bodily functions internally (aka popping a pill)? NO! Then why would you try to treat acne that way? Many acne treatment systems today such as Proactiv, target acne only from the outside, and do not address the issue interanally, as it should be for lasting and dramatic results.

If you are really serious about treating acne and really eliminating it at it’s source (ie the hormones that cause acne), then you owe it to yourself to try a natural acne hormone treatment which is specifically designed to equalize hormone imbalance and purify the skin from the inside out using special blends of herbs, botanicals, and/or natural compounds such as Vitamin E and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Why Go Natural?

Because many people who have not been responsive to conventional acne treatments, or their effectiveness has worn off due to long term use, experience superior results with natural acne treatments.

Acne can actually be caused by two different hormones in women. It’s usually an overabundance of androgens (male hormones) or estrogens (female hormones). In men, it can also be caused by imbalances in male and female hormones. This hormonal imbalance triggers the breakouts by over-stimulating the oil glands on acne prone areas of the body, which then results in a clogging of the pore, hence that thing we all know and love - the pimple.

Antioxidants are also very potent as hormonal equalizers, as well as “blood purifiers”, and their properties foster an environment for mending skin eruptions as well as preventing new breakouts and promoting a healthy glow and skin tone.

Most natural acne treatments are designed to do two things:

1.) Help correct hormonal imbalances related to acne breakouts.

2.) Reduce inflammation and swelling, and pave the way for fast skin repair where breakouts have recently occurred.

Some other tips you can follow to help prevent unsightly breakouts are:

1.) Drink plenty of water. This helps to cleanse the system, and results in clearer, more hydrated skin.

2.) Avoid caffeine and caffeine-containing products like chocolate or supplements containing caffeine or other stimulants.

3.) Relax. Try a calming exercise for when you get stressed out. Stress triggers breakouts for many individuals.

4.) Avoid harsh cleansers or toners - these can only aggravate acne and cause further irritation and redness.

5.) Use a light, non-comedogenic (non pore-clogging) sunscreen. While it is true a suntan may camouflage breakouts, it mostly aggravates them by forcing further oil production due to its drying effects. Try using a good facial self tanner instead.

If you follow these few simple skincare principles, and combine them with a high quality acne treatment targeted to balance hormones and internally “cleanse”, you really can’t lose. Your complexion will thank you!

Danna Schneider is the webmaster and founder of CosmeticsGalore.com. Visit Natural Acne Pills , for more information on a very powerful natural acne remedy that has cleared hundreds of faces.

Hair is a very vital part of the body even though it does not play any real role in the body metabolism. Hair not only adds beauty to the face and increases the self-confidence of the individual. Hair is often the most neglected of the body until it starts showing outward signs and symptoms like shedding, thinning, dandruff, baldness, premature graying, splitting, and so on. These signs may be a symbol of an imbalance in the body’s internal functioning and can also be related to a major disease in the body. Or they can just be due to mishandling or neglect of the hair.

Hair, like any other part of the body, requires essentials nutrients for growth and survival. For a healthy body, these nutrients are generally derived from the food we take. Foods like vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products contain a combination of basic vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats as well as non-nutrients like fiber and water. The amount of food intake, as well as the body’s ability to absorb the necessary ingredients from food, determines the health of the body, which is reflected externally through skin, nails and hair. The main vitamins that influences the health of hair are; vitamin A (produces healthy sebum in the scalp), vitamin C (antioxidant), vitamin E (improves scalp circulation), Biotin (produces Keratin), Inositol (keeps hair follicles healthy), Niacin (promotes scalp circulation) and pantothenic acid, Para-Aminobenzoic Acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 that prevent graying and hair loss.

Sometimes, the body may not be able to derive the necessary ingredients from the food. Under these conditions, it needs a dose of supplements taken additionally along with food for attaining the balance. This is the case with hair also. However, the main question is how to feed the hair. There are several products in the market today in the form of shampoos, oils, conditioners, sprays and other applicants that can be put on externally for solving hair problems. These products contain necessary vitamins, protein and mineral supplements that are believed to enter the scalp and provide proper nourishment to the hair. Apart from these, hair vitamin supplements are also available in tablet/capsule form for internal ingestion. There are numerous companies that are developing hair vitamin products from herbal and traditional ingredients like ginseng, jojoba, green tea, He Shou Wu etc., which are believed to contain the essential vitamins for promoting healthy hair. The most common food-based sources of these vitamins are: citrus fruits, green vegetables, fruits like pineapple, strawberries and kiwi, potatoes, green peppers, vegetable oils, soybean, raw seeds, dried beans, wheat germ oil, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, eggs, liver, rice, milk, fish, turkey, chicken and red meat.

Today, almost all hair care products advertise the presence of a necessary vitamin in their products that would make the hair thicker, stronger, longer, lustrous, and on the whole, healthier. Viviscal, Shen Min, Nu Hair, Hair Genesis, Fast Grow, Hair Formula 37, Follicare, Melancor and Advesia are some of the popular hair vitamin products available in the market today. There are several websites that provide information about hair vitamin products. There are also exclusive stores that specialize in hair vitamin products. However, it is better to consult a physician before using these products to understand the exact condition of the hair so that the right products can be used.

Hair Vitamins provides detailed information about hair vitamins, hair and nail vitamins, hair growth vitamins and more. Hair Vitamins is affiliated with Baldness Solutions.

Older people who eat food containing high amounts of folate, which is found in many leafy green vegetables and fruits, can cut their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by more than half.

This may eventually lead to a means of keeping Alzheimer’s at bay. Right now, there is no preventive therapy for the neurological disease.

Ten-Year Study

A 10-year study showed that people who consume at least 400 micrograms of folate a day (the recommended daily allowance of the vitamin) experienced a 55 pecent lower risk of developing the disease.

Folate reduces blood levels of homocysteine, a substance that can injure brain cells. Foods rich in folate include oranges, broccoli, spinach and bananas.

Alzheimer’s Association August 12, 2005

Dr. Mercola’s Comment:

I first noted the importance of eating whole foods with high amounts of folate to prevent Alzheimer’s disease five years ago. This new study is yet more evidence of this. Green leafy vegetables, strawberries, liver, kidney, nuts and other folate-rich foods can all help keep the nerve cells of your brain from being damaged.

The results of this study mirror the findings of one I posted last month about high amounts of folic acid slowing the cognitive decline that comes with aging.

Fresh vegetables, especially dark green, leafy ones, and strawberries are some of your best natural sources of folic acid. Eating plenty of fresh, uncooked vegetablesis thenatural way toensure you are receiving an ideal daily dose of folic acid (and hundreds of other known and unknown nutrients).

However, it’s also important to understand that we all require different amounts of vegetables to stay healthy. Some people need to consume as much as 300 percent more vegetables than others. The amount of vegetables your body requires depends on your body’s specific metabolic type. While we all need vegetables to stay healthy, your metabolic type should determine the type and amount.

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Dr. Mercola is the founder of Mercola.com, one of the world’s most visited and trusted health websites, and publisher of the free Mercola.com e-newsletter — the #1 dietary health and wellness newsletter on the Web with over 500,000 subscribers. Dr. Mercola, a physician for over two decades, is also a New York Times bestselling author whose latest book, “Dr. Mercola’s Total Health Program,” presents his entire renowned dietary health program and has sold over 150,000 copies. He is routinely interviewed by the media for his expert insights, including CNN and ABC World News Tonight. His passion is to change the fatally flawed conventional medical system to one focused on real prevention and cure.